Poll: Third-party hopefuls have tough road

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and real estate mogul Donald Trump would have a hard time mounting a third-party bid, a poll indicated.

An ABC News-Washington Post poll said significant challenges would face any of the three top-mentioned third-party candidates in the 2012 national election.

Paul has faced serious questions on his qualifications and the policies he'd pursue if elected, the survey indicated. Of those who know him, Americans are pretty evenly divided on their favorable-unfavorable views.

Trump may be the best known of the three, but also is the least popular overall, the poll said. More Americans view him unfavorably than favorably, by 48 percent to 40 percent.

Forty-four percent of Americans haven't formed an opinion of Bloomberg. Those who have are closely divided on whether they view him favorably or unfavorably. Bloomberg is most popular among liberal Democrats, who make up about 12 percent of the public overall.

Results are based on a national telephone survey of 1,019 adults conducted Dec. 14-19. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.